School District Policy On Classroom Testing

The Child Advocate is devoted to children and the parents and professionals that work with them and advocate for them.  Diabetes has long been a problem for countless children. The information presented at this site is for general use only and is not intended to provide personal advice or substitute for the advice of a qualified professional.  If you have questions about the information presented here, please consult a physician skilled in diabetes management, the resources listed or other professional in your area.

The following is a sample Protocol from a School District to address testing in the classroom:

 

SCHOOLS DISTRICT

Division of Educational Services

Student Services Department

 

PROTOCOL: DIABETES BLOOD GLUCOSE TESTING

 

District Schools will follow a protocol based on that developed by other School Districts and

a State School Nurse Organization, Special Education Committee. Objectives are to:

 

1. Maximize the diabetic student’s time in the classroom.
2. Minimize disruption to the classroom.
3. Decrease the possible stigma of diabetes.
4. Encourage blood glucose testing by the diabetic student through a readily accessible

testing location.

5. Minimize the time interval between recognition of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia)

symptoms and treatment.

 

District Schools will provide for two methods of blood glucose

testing on campus.

 

1. Tests may be administered by the student in the office health room under the following

conditions:

 

1. Test kit shall be stored in a cupboard available only to authorized school

personnel, or kept on student’s person.

2. Test kit shall be identified with the student’s name.
3. When testing, the student will be supervised by school nurse, secretary or clerk in order

to ensure safety and universal precautions.

4. Lancets and other contaminated materials will be placed in the student’s test kit

and taken home for disposal.

 

OR

 

1. Tests may be administered by the student in the classroom under the following

conditions:

 

1. Test kit shall be carried by the student in a fanny‑pack/backpack or placed in

his/her desk or a designated closed cupboard.

2. Teacher will be notified by student when test is being administered. Student

will have prearranged with teacher the most unobtrusive way for this to occur.

3. Test shall be administered in an area in the classroom away from the other

students.

4. Lancets and other contaminated materials will be placed in the student’s test kit

and taken home for disposal.

5. Student shall be allowed to carry or store snacks in classroom and eat snacks in

the classroom as needed to alleviate hypoglycemia.

6. If student does not act responsibly and/or disrupts classroom while testing,

classroom privileges may be withdrawn and further testing done in the office

health room.